Heggedal

Anden Juledag

Kjere Alma og alle sammen

Tusen tak for dit brev, det er moro og høre fra dere.  Jeg tenker paa Anna, hun har vist bestandig, havt det vont, det er godt at hun har fodd jemt(?) sig ifra alle sorger, og det vonne her i verden, dette livet har ikke meget godt og byde en paa, det er mange gange en ønsker og vere jemt, ifra det hele, men det lakker mod Slutten, jeg er glad for at jeg har bare den ene Gutten, og han er orntlig, ikke drikker. Som liten var han meget syg han fikk, saan ond Ørebetennelse, efter Meslingerne da han var 3 aar, og har lagt paa Sygehus 2 gange, og blevet operert og var Døden ner, og vi frygtet mest for han skulle miste forstannet og faa  leve, han blev helt vanskapt i ansigtet, og Lam paa den ene siden, for det er udtat et Ben lige ind til Gjernen saa det er et under, at han er kjek, men som de ser saa er han lit Sjev i ansigtet. han Vever i Fabrikken, og er meget Musikalsk. dette spillet koster 600 kr., men paa dette kort er han svert uheldig.  du ligner meget, var Søster Hannas eldste datter Karen, som bor i Narvik.  og saa var det denne Dragten.  Tolden kan jeg ikke faa greie paa her, det blir fortollet, i Amerika, det blir kanske dyrt, for dette bryststykket, og Luen, og paa beltet, og saa skal det vere lomme paa Forkledet, som er av Perlebroderi, og Brystet og Luen, må en kjøpe ferdig, aldt de andre kan en sy selv, det er bare enkelt  er det saa du vil, saa kan jeg besørge det, som skal vere til, det Sorte og røde Stoffet vever vi paa Fabrikken her, den borden, som er paa Vesten, det er ikke av perler.  det er en anden slag,  Luen og Brystet, og de perlerne som skal til, det kan kanske komme sig paa, en serka kr. 15.  det til Sjørt  og vest blir ikke meget, og Sjørten (mener hun skjorten?), den faar de der men i tilfelde, saa maatte du sende maal av Hode for Luens sjyld, jeg spurte paa Husfliden, i Oslo hvad den kostet ferdig, en serka kr. 80.  Jeg haaber at du forstaar, min daarlige skrivt, du skriver meget, bedre Norsk en jeg, jeg orker ikke arbeide mer i Fabriken. jeg er saa av Jigt i armer og Ryggen, foresten, saa er det de samme som og lage ris til sin egen Rumpe, som vi siger paa Norsk, det er ingen som takker en for hvad en jør.

Jeg maa nu slutte mit brev.  Tusen tak for brev og bilder.  hils alle dine barn, og de andre som har intresse av os.

Jeg ønsker dere alle et godt Nytaar.  Tusen Kjere hilsen fra Mindor Laura Arvid.

Havde jeg havd god raad saa Skulle jeg sent dig en brugt(?) men desverre en er for fattig.

Heggedal

Second Christmas day

Dear Alma and all

Thank you so much for your letter, it’s fun to hear from you.  I’m thinking about Anna, it seems she has always, suffered, it’s good that she has been allowed to hide herself from all sorrows, and the bad of this world, this life doesn’t have much good to offer a person, many a time one would wish to be hidden, from it all, but the End is drawing near, I’m glad I only have the one Boy, and he’s decent, doesn’t drink.  As a little boy he was very ill he got, such a bad Ear infection, after the Measles when he was 3 years old, and has been in the hospital twice, and was operated on and was near Death, and we feared most of all that he would lose his mind and live, his face became completely malformed, and Paralyzed on one side, because a Bone was taken out all the way to the Brain so it’s a miracle, that he’s ok, but as you see his face is a little crooked.  he weaves at the Factory, and is very Musical.  this instrument costs 600 kr., but on this card he was very unlucky  (in other words, he doesn’t look like himself; I think that’s what she means. There must have been a photo enclosed in this letter).  you look a lot, like our Sister Hanna’s oldest daughter Karen, who lives in Narvik.  and now to the Costume (I think she’s talking about a Norwegian National Costume).  I can’t find out about the duty on it here, it will be cleared, in America, it may get expensive, for the chest piece, and the Hat, and the belt, and then there’s supposed to be a pocket on the Apron, which is made of beaded embroidery, and the Chest piece and the Hat, must be bought ready made, all the other things can be hand sewn, it’s simple  if you want me to, I can see to the things that go with it, the Black and the Red fabric we weave at the Factory here, the border, which is on the Vest, that is not made of pearls.  that’s another kind, the Hat and the Chest piece, and the beads to go with it, could perhaps come to, ca. 15 kr. what’s needed for the skirt (shirt?) and vest wont come to much, and the shirt (skirt?), you can get there but in case (I think she means to say: in case you want me to get this for you) you must send the Head measurements for the sake of the Hat, I asked at Husfliden, in Oslo what it costs ready made, about 80 kr.  I hope you understand, my bad writing, you write much, better Norwegian than I do, I can’t work anymore at the Factory.  I am so bothered with Arthritis in my arms and Back, besides, it’s like making a whip for your own Behind (Norwegian expression), as we say in Norwegian, nobody thanks you for what you do.

I must end my letter now.  Thank you very much for your letter and photographs.  say hello to all your children, and the others who are interested in us.

I wish you all a happy New year.  A thousand Loving greetings from Mindor Laura Arvid.

If I could afford it I would Send you a used one but unfortunately I’m too poor.

Stjørdal den 3-12-45  Komunevalgdag

Kjære broder Johan mf.

Tusin tak for pakken jeg fik idag, den innholdt 1 teppe 2 par vite hansker 2 par strømper 2 kniver. har delt med Eilif, du skal ha hjertelig tak fra ham.  Det som jeg nu ønsker er en jakke en som Olav fik, den var så god og varm og passet mig udmerket, den er yperlig for mig når jeg sidder på pleiehjemmet hos min kone, for der er det hute tu kalt.  Du må unskylde min frekhed men her fins ikke sådanne, men er det vanskelig for dig så lad det vere, jeg gredde mig i fjor vinter så må det vel gå i år.

Min kone er nogså dårlig, jeg vil ønske at hun snart må få flytte hjem til Herren eller om han vil reise hende op fra sykdommen  det har han makt til vis han vil gjøre dette for os, men hans vilje sje.

med Olava Konrad si kone er det bra  hun har ingen pakke foet, venter nu Odd hjem snart.  Alle di øvrige 8 barn har det fint  dem er gjft mange av dem.

Ola er det greit med  han er lit sur siger Laura  hun liker ham ikke.

Laura fik pakke fra dig idag Teppe, hansker, kniver m.m.

Hanna i Narvik var uheldig og datt og brekte den gode fot i lårhalsen så dem er uheldig  hun er og nesten blind, stakar Hanna.

Gjertine Markus sin kone har det godt, staute barn di fleste gjift.  I Hegra er det vel bare en mann du vet om, Nils Holm elste søn til far sin husvert Gunder Holm og Sigrid  dem husker du nok, har nu lenge lagt i si grav på Hegra kirkegård, vorhen efter døden?  Nils driver gården  fler barn, han er gift med Anne Hegre, datter til John Hegra der veien går igjennem gården da du kommer fra sme Hans.  med vores er det bra  Einar har et maveonde som han neppe blir fri for, han hadde en stor og stygg operation ifjord som ikke han var heldig med  han har nu nervøs mave av det så det er ikke så greit for dem  dem bor nu fremdeles hjemme hos mei, gutten deres Helge er snild og kos.  Arne sin gutt er nu lit syk kjikhoste, meslinger, bronkitt, så det er ikke grett at vere liten.

Hadde jeg fot min kone hjem frisk så har vi havdt det utmerket, men det serut som at vi skal ha dette kors  Herrens vilje skje.  Så får di ha en velsignet julefest og Godt og velsignet Nyt år.

Samtidig hjertelig tak for alt di gjør for os.  Pakken Alma skriv om en jakket til Herborg, og skuldersjal til mor har vi ikke foet.

Beste hilsen Helga og Axel. Hilsen Rom 8.1.

Laura var nu netop inne her skal hilse fra dem.

Stjørdal 3-12-45  Local election day

Dear brother Johan and all

Thank you very much for the package I received today, it contained 1 blanket 2 pairs white gloves 2 pairs socks 2 knives  I have shared with Eilif, he says thank you very much.  What I would like now is a jacket (cardigan?)  one like Olav got, it was so nice and warm and fit me perfectly, it’s excellent for me when I’m sitting at the nursing home with my wife, because it’s terribly cold there.  Please excuse my forwardness but those are not to be found here, but if it’s difficult for you then let it be, I managed last winter and will manage again this year.

My wife is quite sick, I wish she would be allowed to move home to the Lord or that he’ll set her free from her illness  he has the power if he wants to do this for us, but his will be done.

with Olava Konrad’s wife things are fine  she hasn’t received any package, is expecting Odd home soon.  All her other 8 children are fine  several of them are married. Ola is doing fine  he’s a little surly says Laura  she does not like him.

Laura got a package from you today  blanket, gloves, knives and more.  Hanna in Narvik was unlucky and fell and broke her good leg so they are unlucky  she’s also almost blind, poor Hanna.  Gjertine Markus’ wife is doing well, fine children  most of them married.  In Hegra there’s probably only one man you know of, Nils Holm the oldest son of our father’s landlord Gunder Holm (he must have been the owner of Holmstrø where the Holm brothers were born) and Sigrid  I’m sure you remember them, have been in their graves at Hegra cemetery for a long time, where after death?  Nils runs the farm  several children, he’s married to Anne Hegre, daughter of John Hegra where the road goes through the farm when you come from sme Hans (“sme Hans” means “blacksmith Hans”, and he was actually the fellow who taught John blacksmithing as a very young lad).  My family is doing ok  Einar has a stomach ailment which he probably wont get rid of, he had a big and nasty operation last year which wasn’t very successful  he now has a nervous stomach from it so it’s not easy for them  they are still living with me, their boy Helge is good and pleasant.  Arne’s boy is a little sick  whooping cough, measles, bronchitis, so it’s not easy being little.

If I could get my wife home healthy things would be excellent, but it looks like we’ll carry this cross  The Lord’s will be done.  Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy and blessed New Year.  At the same time thank you so much for everything you’re doing for us.  The package Alma writes about  a jacket for Herborg, and a shoulder shawl for mother we have not received.

Best wishes Helga and Axel.  Greetings with Rom. 8.1.

Laura was just here  greetings from them.

Dell Rapids S.D. 2-20-48

Kjere onkel

Da Jeg netop modtog dit brev skal Jeg skrive igjen  Jeg tenkte at dere derborte inorge var saa meget samen at det var alt ret at skrive til Axel at han lod dig vide om John død.  Da han ser efter Johns hilsninger til dere der.  Jeg ogsaa skrev Evelyn og bad hende at si dig om det, same adresse (Evelyn hadde samme adresse som Ola).  Det var trist til mig at skrive det saa mange gange  Det ser ud for at en maa skrive hver en elers er det nogen som blir sint og styg isind. 

Ja Ole om du hade staat her og set hvor John lide og pintes af store smerter i maven og hjertet  blodet rant om tarmen, mund og nese  han hosted og straagnet kasted om hele tiden di siste uger Tror Jeg knaft du hade skrevet til mig som du nu gjorde idete brev.  Jeg ber gud at du slipper at pines saadan naar din siste tid komer.  Jeg var her nat og dag Indtil han sa nei Alma dete kan du ikke staa ud med baade dag og nat og han maate ha hypo (sprøyte?) for at lindre pinen, og dem kunde Jeg ikke gi ham.  saa bad han Dokteren om det ikke var best han kom paa hospitalet, hvor han laa i 8 dage.  Jeg gik 2 gange om dagen  min søns kone en gang.  Det er en mil hver gang.  vi har ingen bil.  Grace var hjeme med bruket ben.  Jenten til Ralph hade meslingerne.  saa vi hade noget at gjøre her ogsaa.

Vi hade foto tat af kisten  Jeg kjøbte extra aviser  har nu sent dem til dere 6 søskend ligedan  Dem vil ta lenger end luft brev men dem komer frem  vi maate vente til foton her i America blir ferdig før Jeg kunde sende dem.  Ja du sir du kjente John.  Ja han fortalte mangt dise siste tider siden han blev daarlig.  Ja angret paa mangt sa han  Han angret at han ikke hade Doktor for sig før.  men det maate spares, og nu var det forsent at snyte naar nasen var av.  Ja stakkers John saa stor og sterk som han bestandig var og maate lide slig isit siste  Jeg haaber at hvad han og mor og Jeg har sent til norge vil bli til en velsignelse i has minde og ikke til onskab og uvenskab melen dere ale der.

Stakkers mor er ikke saa frisk  hun blir strax 82, og nu er det tusi og langsamt men Jeg skal gjøre alt Jeg kan for hende som John sa hvad Jeg skulde gjøre.  Jeg har gjort alt Jeg kunde for dem bege før og det skal Jeg gjøre nu.  Jeg har veret glad at dem var ner saa Jeg kunde hjelpe til hver dag, og John takket for det isin siste time.  Din pake til han kom om morgenen efter han gik kvelden før.  tak ale dine Jenter for breve dem sente han.  di viste ale der at han var i siste dagene  Jeg sente pake til Evelyn den 16 haaber hun synes om den  Det var trist at du ikke skrev mer ofte til John  nu er det forsent.

Det er godt du har en kjek family.  Laura priser dem ale bestandig.  det er sørgelig at hun er saa daarlig nu.  hun er ikke meget eldre end Jeg  her er det meget kolt og sne og vind ver.  20 below zero (under null, Fahrenheit?)  Haaber du nu har alt den besked du vil ha.  Jeg har svaret paa dit brev nu er det din tur.  Hils tante og Jenterne fra mor og mig.

Alma

P.S. Ja Jeg maa si tak for pakken til John.

Dell Rapids S.D. 2-20-48

Dear uncle

As I just received your letter I’ll write you back.  I thought that you over there in Norway were together so much that it was right to write to Axel and have him tell you about John’s death.  Since he sees to John’s greetings to you all there.  I also wrote to Evelyn and asked her to tell you about it, same address (Evelyn lived in the same house as her father Ola).  It was sad for me to write it so many times.  It looks like I have to write each one or there’s someone who gets angry and nasty minded.

Well Ole if you had stood here and seen how John was tormented and suffered from great pains in his stomach and heart  the blood was running around his intestine, mouth and nose  he coughed and choked  was throwing up all the time the last weeks I don’t think you would have written to me the way you now did in this letter.  I ask god that you will be spared from such torture when your last days come.  I was here night and day Until he said no Alma you can’t keep this up both day and night and he had to have hypo (injections?) to ease the pain, and those I could not give him.  then he asked the Doctor if it wouldn’t be best to put him in the hospital, where he was for 8 days.  I went twice a day  my son’s wife once.  It’s a mile every time.  we have no car.  Grace was at home with a broken leg.  Ralph’s girl had the measles.  so we had some things to do here too.

We had a photo taken of the coffin.  I bought extra newspapers  have now sent them to the 6 of you the same  They will take longer than an air letter but they’ll get there  we had to wait till the photos here in America were finished before I could send them.  Well you say you knew John.  Yes he told me many a thing those last days since he got sick.  Yes he said he regretted many a thing  He regretted that he didn’t get a Doctor for himself earlier.  but they had to save, and now it was too late to blow your nose when the nose was off.  Yes poor John  big and strong that he always was and then having to suffer like that at his end.  I hope that what he and mother and I have sent to Norway will be a blessing in his memory and not cause malice and bickering between all of you there.

Poor mother is not very well  she’ll be 82 soon, and now it’s difficult and lonely but I’ll do everything I can for her that John said I should do.  I’ve done verything I could for them both before and I’ll do so now.  I’ve been glad that they’ve been so close that I could help out every day, and John thanked me for that in his last hour.  Your package to him came on the morning after he passed the night before.  thank all your Girls for the letters they sent him.  they all knew over there that he was in his last days.  I sent a package to Evelyn on the 16^th  hope she likes it  It ‘s too bad that you didn’t write more often to John  now it’s too late.

It’s good that you have a nice family.  Laura praises them all all the time.  It’s too bad that she’s so unwell now.  she’s not much older than Me  it’s very cold here and snow and windy weather.  20 below zero  Hope you now know everything you wanted to know.  I’ve replied to your letter  now it’s your turn.  Say hello to auntie and the Girls from mother and me.

Alma   P.S.

I must say thank you for the package for John.